When economic crisis hits, where better to look than the fashions of the great depression? This cloche is a sophisticated, minimalist take on the lines of ‘29. It fits close to the head, hugging the ears and providing a surprising amount of warmth while remaining sleek. As an added plus, it can be knit using less than one skein of bulky weight yarn.

The cloche is knitted in the round, from the top of the crown to the edge of the brim and then felted-to-fit. It’s a very quick knit, requiring only basic knitting with double pointed needles, short row shaping and a single type of increase (KFB, but you can substitute your favourite). As it is felted in the end, the pattern is very forgiving of less-than-exquisite short row technique.

To the make the hat shown here I have used around half a ball of Cascade Soft Spun (colourway 2829), that’s less than 150 yards.

You will need:
A feltable, bulky weight yarn
A set of double-pointed knitting needles (10 ½)
One 29” circular needle (10 ½)
A tapestry needle (for finishing)